
Im here today to walk you through how to make and install your own Themes for your PLAYSTATION3. All youll need are:
- an image editing program (MSPaint, Adobe PhotoShop, etc.)
- the provided compiler program
- a little time

Start by downloading the HowToMakePS3Themes.zip.zip file here and extracting it onto your computer.
In this zip are folders with the necessary files for each step of the process.



Step 1: Create
Lets start at the very beginning.
In this folder, youll find the images that make the XMB, its sub-icons, and the background wallpapers for HD and SD resolutions.
There is also a file called PS3Theme_template.xml, but well come back to that a little later.
Its important that you dont change any of the file names in this folder. If you do, it will cause problems later on.

Start by deciding which icon youd like to customize and open that image in your image editing program.
You can alter the image any way youd like (change the color, skin the icon, add effects, etc.). You can even replace the image completely with personal photos if youd like.
Just make sure not to change the Pixel Dimensions of the image; so if the icon image is 140 x 140 pixels at the start, make sure its the same size at the end.

When you are done with your new icon, overwrite the original image with your new custom image. 
Make sure you save it as a PNG file, and not a JPG, BMP, GIF, or any other file type.

To create your background wallpaper, follow the same steps above, making sure to maintain the original Pixel Dimensions.
The only difference is that when you save your wallpaper image, youre going to save it as a JPG file, and not a PNG file like the icons.


Step 2: Assemble
When youre done making your new icons, its time to put the whole thing together and make the actual Theme file.
It helps to have two windows open for this part, one showing the contents of the Step 1_Create folder, the other showing Step 2_Assemble.



From the Step 1_Create folder, click and drag the PS3Theme_template.xml file and drop it onto the p3tcompiler.exe program found in the Step 2_Assemble folder.

A new window should appear, showing the program working as it puts together your Theme.
If there are any errors, the program will stop at the error, letting you know which file is causing problems. 
When it has finished assembling the pieces successfully, a <done> message will appear, prompting you to press ENTER and close the program.




Step 3: Install
Return to your Step 1_Create folder.
You should see a bunch of new files in the folder.
The files with the GIM extension are special temp files. They were created during assembly but can be deleted now.
You should also find a new file called PS3Theme_template.p3t. This is your new Theme file.

Copy the file onto a detectable USB device or a one of the compatible memory sticks into the proper Theme folder ( \PS3\THEME )
Connect the device to your PS3 or insert the memory stick into the reader.
Under Settings, select Theme Settings, and then Theme.
At the very top, there is an Install option. Once youve installed your Theme to your PS3, your theme will now be selectable your Theme List.

and thats how you make your own PS3 Themes!

For those of you thatd like a little more customization, please read the Advanced Tips Guide in the included Step 4 folder with some extra info on how to:
	- change your Themes title
	- change your Themes preview art
	- change your Themes font
	- change your Themes color selection
	- change your Themes Author avatar
	- create a Theme with random background images

